Tired City aiming to overcome deficit against Kiev
- By A.D. Winn on March 17, 2011 11:02 GMT
Fatigue once again has become an issue for Manchester City prior to their Europa League 2nd leg fixture against a confident Dynamo Kiev.
Manager Roberto Mancini has admitted in a dip in form from Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez, City’s leading goalscorer this season with 18 goals, due to exhaustion. The striker may be rested with other strikers now fit to feature.
“It isn’t only Carlos whose sharpness has suffered; all the players have.” resigned Mancini this week. “If we had 20 or 23 players when we play four or five games in two weeks we would be able to change six players every game.
“We don’t have that option and when you can’t train it’s difficult to keep the same level for one month or 45 days. That’s the same for all the players, not only Carlos.”
Returning for City is James Milner after recovering from a hamstring strain, though it is unsure if the England midfielder is fully 100%. Nigel de Jong, who returned to the starting 11 for the cup match against Reading, faces a late fitness test.
Mancini has one ace up his sleeve – an impressive home record. City last lost at home in Europe back in 2008, and will need to be on top form to overcome a two-goal deficit after Andriy Shevchenko and Oleh Gusev put Kiev in a fantastic position last week.
Despite that home statistic, City staff are worried about a poor turnout at the City of Manchester Stadium due to the early kick-off time, and television coverage, increased now that City have progressed to a semi final FA Cup clash against Manchester United at Wembley next month.
For tonight’s fixture, City face up against a Dynamo side who are now unbeaten in seven European games, and are slight favourites to progress despite The Blues originally being one of the favourites to win the competition.
Form
All Competitions:
Manchester City: DWWLW (6 goals for, 1 against)
Dynamo Kiev: WWWWW (14 goals for, 1 against)
Europa League:
Manchester City: WDDWL (7 goals for, 3 against)
Dynamo Kiev: WDWWW (14 goals for, 2 against)
First Leg:
Dynamo Kiev 2-0 Manchester City
